A 967-foot Malta-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier assisted in the rescue of 2 injured sailors off the coast of Puerto Rico.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan, the master of a 32-foot sailing vessel Uplace, sustained a leg injury and requested assistance. Watchstanders conducted an Emergency Group Call (EGC) to alert and inform maritime traffic near the distress. A 967-foot Malta-flagged tanker ship BW Lilac came to the rescue.
As informed, the BW Lilac, part of the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER), went out of its way in order to assist the two mariners – a German couple – who sustained injuries aboard the 32-foot sailing vessel. Once on the scene, approximately 340 nautical miles north of Puerto Rico, BW Lilac crew embarked the mariners and reported to the Coast Guard that the woman had also sustained a broken wrist.
Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 helicopter crews medevaced the German couple from the BW Lilac, approximately 110 miles north of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
The injured sailors were transported to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Regional Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Later, they were transported to the Centro Medico hospital.
We were happy to get the patients to safety and a higher level of care after such a scary incident
…said Petty Officer Rich Stewart, MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter flight mechanic and aircrew for the case.
A huge thanks to the BW Lilac for going out of their way to take them aboard and ensure they were taken care of
…Rich Stewart added.
